Golf Drills for Kids Age 3-5: Why They Should Feel Like Play

Have you ever tried coaching a three-year-old in sports? As a golf-loving dad with three young kids (soon to be four), I can tell you—with children this young, golf—or any sport—isn't something you coach. It's something you play together.

So here's the deal: don't call it practice. Definitely don't call it a drill. Call it a game and encourage their creativity. If they want to hit the ball backwards because it makes them laugh? Let it fly. If the tee box becomes a spaceship or a dinosaur cave? Roll with it.

Let them swing to their heart's content. The golf course should feel like their playground—because right now? It is.

And if your little one stops mid-swing to show you a shiny rock or chase a lizard, even better. That means they're having fun. That's the win.

When golf is fun from a young age, kids are way more likely to stick with it. Forget the scorecard for now. Let's talk about how the right putting drills and other golf drills for kids can make the game feel more like play—and a whole lot more fun.

How to Create Fun, Simple Golf Games for Kids

Here's the golden rule I've learned again and again: if it feels like work, it won't work—especially with younger kids. Their attention spans are short, their emotions are big, and anything that even smells like a formal lesson? Fast track to meltdown city.

Instead, think games, not grip pressure or swing angles. Think movement, giggles, and sometimes letting them call the shots—literally. That's when the magic happens with the golf swing. And with the right golf games for kids, they don't even realize they're learning.

For children this age, everything needs to be concise, visual, and straightforward. If they can see what to do, that's all the curriculum they need. Show them the basics. It's best to begin with simple games or drills before moving to more complex activities. Start with silly warm-ups. Create a go-to putting game—they name themselves. Establishing fun routines helps reinforce learning and makes practice something they look forward to.

All that movement? It builds balance, coordination, and—maybe most important—joy. Even if their swing looks more like they're swatting a bug, you're still winning.

And this part? I have to remind myself all the time—let go of the outcome. Let them figure it out at their own pace, allowing each child to progress comfortably. Success isn't sinking a putt. It's your kid turning to you after a messy, silly round and saying, "Can we play again tomorrow?"

Best Golf Drills for Ages 3–5: Easy and Parent-Tested

These "training sessions"—if we can even call them that—are all about little wins and big smiles.

These are golf drills for kids that I've used with my toddlers—simple, playful, and designed for real turf, real fun, and real learning. Whether you’re out on the putting green, in the backyard, or just hitting around at the park, these games help your kid get a real feel for golf—without any pressure. They're simple drills that help junior golfers become more confident putters, building real skills in a way that actually sticks—starting at a young age.

1. Roll to a Target (Putting Focus)

Set up a target zone using tees, cones, or a towel on a practice green or short-mown area. Make sure your junior golfer has a clear starting point and plenty of room to roll the golf ball using a putter from different distances.

This is one of the best putting drills for building distance control, visual focus, and body awareness—all without a single technical cue.

Want to level it up? Add multiple targets at different distances and let your child choose one each time. Completing each target becomes a mini-goal. Once all targets are complete, celebrate finishing the entire drill as a big achievement. Practicing this drill helps junior golfers develop precision and putting skills, including learning to control the line of their putts for better accuracy. Cheer them on for every swing—even the ones that fly sideways. Let them try to hit all the targets in a row, then see if they can top their last round. The goal isn’t perfect shots. It’s helping them feel how the ball moves on grass. That’s how the basics start to sink in—without them even knowing it.

2. Around the Clock (Club Familiarity + Swing Basics)

Find an open space like a field or a quiet chipping area. Place golf balls around your child in a circle—think clock face: 12, 3, 6, 9 o'clock—each sitting on a tee. Use a lofted club like a wedge.

The goal is to stand in the center and take a swing at each golf ball, one by one. They're not aiming for power—just balance, rhythm, and confidence. Swinging with different clubs, including a driver, helps kid golfers develop balance and proper weight transfer, which are key to a consistent swing.

No need to over-coach. Let them go around once, or five times if they're feeling it. They'll naturally pick up how the club moves with their body and how the ball reacts. Watch them discover what happens when they swing a little harder—or ease off.

3. Obstacle Golf (Creative Play + Shot Making)

This one takes a bit of setup—but the payoff? Huge.

Turn your backyard, a park, or a putting area into a toddler-sized mini-golf course. Use whatever you've got—alignment sticks, cones, bags, ropes—to create fun obstacles and mini-missions.

Their challenge? Navigate the ball through each obstacle. Try goals like:

• "Get it through the tee gate in two shots.”
• "Chip over the rope and stop it on the towel.”

Practicing these creative challenges helps young golfers develop a variety of skills, from shot making to problem solving and adaptability.

You're not just teaching distance and creativity—you're building real golf IQ. Even when it doesn't feel like a lesson, they're learning how to size up a shot and choose a path.

Want to dial up the fun? Add silly rules:

• “Don't hit the cone monster!"
• "Finish the course in three putts!"

And if they start changing the game as they go? Perfect. Play is learning.

Film a round or two. Let them watch and cheer for their own creativity. That kind of feedback sticks—and so does the joy.

How to Keep Golf Fun (Even When They Miss Every Shot)

Let's face it—kids are going to miss the ball. A lot. Sometimes they'll whiff it entirely. Other times, they'll swing while making airplane noises and forget there was even a ball to hit. Totally normal.

At this age, you're not there to fix their swing. You're there to make sure they leave wanting to come back. If they're grinning, dragging their club behind them, and asking, "Can we do this again tomorrow?"—mission accomplished.

So how do you keep it fun when the ball's flying sideways and their focus lasts about as long as a three-foot gimme? You adapt and smile.

Celebrate the swing, not the shot—big cheers for effort—even if the ball barely moved or took off sideways. Keep the energy up.

Speak their language. Turn drills into adventures. Let them name the hole "Chocolate Volcano" or "Dinosaur Valley." If they want to create a story around every putt, go with it.

Make up games as you go. Miss a target? Cool—now it's a rescue mission. They’re the hero, saving the ball from the “sand monster.” Yeah, it sounds goofy—but it totally works.

Always wrap things up on a high note. Stop before the meltdown. Leave them wanting more—not dragging their feet back to the car. If they’re still giggling when it’s time to go? You did it right.

I’ve learned this the hard way—push too long and it backfires. But keep it fun and light? That’s what keeps them coming back.

And hey, it’s not really about teaching them to putt. You’re helping them learn patience, feel more confident, and just enjoy moving their bodies.

Play isn’t some break from learning—it is the learning. And if they’re having a blast while doing it? That’s the part that sticks.

Avoid These Golf Teaching Mistakes with Young Kids

Teaching golf to a toddler takes a special kind of patience—the kind where you're present, flexible, and okay with the fact that today's "lesson" might end with someone lying face-down in the bunker (and it might not be your kid). Sure, lessons can be great later on. But at this age? Play is how they learn.

That said, there are a few common traps I see a lot of parents fall into these traps—and yeah, they’ll land you in toddler meltdown territory real fast:

1. Over-coaching every swing

You don’t need to break down grip pressure or talk about swing plane. They just need space to move, mess around, and actually enjoy it. Let the wild shots fly. Let the grip be weird. The more you try to fix everything, the less fun it becomes. This stage is about play, not perfection.

2. Expecting too much too soon

This isn't the PGA Tour—it's playtime. Some days they'll be focused. Other days, they'll hit one ball and then decide the putting green is an excellent spot for cloud-watching.

3. Using gear that doesn't fit

Too-long clubs, heavy shafts, thick grips—those can kill the fun real quick. Make sure the gear’s actually made for them. Real clubs, just lighter and shorter. A good fit makes a big difference.

4. Turning golf into a chore

The second it starts feeling like homework? Game over. Keep it short, keep it light, and if they’re cracking up out there—you’re doing it right.

You’re not trying to build the perfect swing right now. You’re building a bond with the game. One that's loose and joyful, where they make up the rules and maybe bust out a dance move just because. Let it get a little chaotic.

And sure, lessons will matter later—but not yet. Right now, purposeful play is the lesson.

The Best Clubs, Balls, and Greens for Teaching Golf to Young Kids

If there's one thing that can either hook your kid or turn them off fast, it's the gear. It doesn't need to be fancy—just the right fit. The wrong club in little hands can suck the joy out of it in seconds.

Clubs need to be light enough for little arms to swing comfortably. A putter or wedge that fits makes a huge difference. Would you hand your kid an adult-sized baseball bat to see what they can do with it? Same deal with golf clubs.

And yes—real clubs and real golf balls. Well-designed training aids have their place, but we want them learning on real turf, in real conditions, with real equipment whenever possible. That's how they build feel and confidence. Lightweight drivers can be great too—they help kids understand swing speed and distance in a way that's intuitive and fun. Just like adults, kids love the long ball 🙂.

Surfaces matter, too. If you've got access to a putting green or chipping area, even better. Keep it consistent, clean, and safe. Mark out some visual targets—cones, flags, colored tees—anything to give them something to aim at. And honestly? Try not to overdo the coaching. One good swing from you is all it takes, or even better, another kid they can watch. Kids copy each other all the time, some are just better at visual learning.

Videos can help too, but don’t let them get caught up in all the highlight stuff. Those clips? They only show the best moments. My oldest watches other kids play all the time—not to compare, just to see what’s out there and dream a little.

Celebrating Small Wins: How to Measure Progress with Young Golfers

The biggest wins in kids' golf? They're not tracked on scorecards or measured in yards. They show up in quiet, blink-and-you'll-miss-it moments—and they matter more than most people realize.

Like the first time I saw my oldest make solid contact—and the expression on his face. Or when he holed his first putt. These are the moments that kids remember. That's golf. That's learning.

Celebrate every new skill improvement: balance, distance control, even just remembering to stay still for a second after a putt. It's all progress. And when they're out there playing, help them see that progress. Maybe they're hitting it a bit farther. Maybe their stance looks more stable. Maybe they finally followed through instead of chopping at it like an axe.

Whatever it is—call it out. Don't worry about perfection. Let them know they did something extraordinary.

Because they did.

The goal here isn't perfection—it's confidence. And the way you build that? Notice the effort. Not just the results.

One Last Thing...

If you're looking for gear to support your young golfer, we've got you covered. At Liteyear Golf, we design clubs specifically for young golfers—from the ground up—to match the unique swings, grips, and energy of kids ages 3 to 5. Lightweight. Durable. Kid-sized fit.

Our whole mission? Helping kids feel confident and genuinely enjoy the game from that very first swing.

Whether you're just getting started or ready to move on from plastic toy sets, Liteyear gear is made to meet your child right where they are—real clubs, real feel, real momentum.

Check out our full lineup of toddler-specific golf gear—we'd love to be part of your little one's first steps into the game.

FAQ

At what age can kids start learning golf?

Can they stand? Then they're ready—haha. In all seriousness, I started at 3 with my two older boys. Right around the age when they can follow simple rules, make a swing, and not use the club as a hammer. Some kids get there sooner, others later. There's no perfect age—it depends on your family.

What are the best types of golf drills for 3–5-year-olds?

Short, simple, and playful. Roll balls to a target, create games on the putting green, or set up “missions” around the short game area. Think movement over mechanics.

If they're ready for more, here are a couple of things that worked well for me:

• Name the positions of the swing: "Top" (like baseball), "Down," and "Pose" (the follow-through).
• Y to Y: A visual cue for chip swings—mine liked this one.

How long should a golf session be for toddlers?

Honestly? Five to fifteen minutes is plenty. Follow their lead. If they're having fun, keep going. If they're fading, call it a win and pack it up. Leave them wanting more—not counting the seconds till it's over.

What type of equipment should I use for my 3 to 5-year-old?

Use clubs made specifically for kids this age—lightweight, properly sized, and safe. Skip the hand-me-down adult gear. The right tools help them swing confidently and stay injury-free.

(Need help? We’ve got clubs made just for this age group—real tools for real swings.)

Do I need to enroll my child in a formal course?

If you've got a teaching pro who works well with young kids, great. But at this stage, you don't need a structured program. A putting green, chipping area, or even open space at the range is perfect. The key is keeping it playful.

What should I do if my child loses interest during practice?

Change it up. Take a snack break. Let them run around and explore the golf course. Set the drills aside and do something fun so they associate golf with good vibes.

If they're smiling, they're learning.